Shippensburg rallies past Millersville in Rocky's home finale

SHIPPENSBURG - After his players doused him with a Gatorade bath Saturday afternoon in the closing seconds, Rocky Rees stood stunned for a moment.

Following the Red Raiders’ 19-14 PSAC Eastern Division victory over Millersville at SU Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium, Reese stood beside his daughter, Meghan, as the marching band played a couple of tributes for the veteran coach.

There was plenty of love going around as Rees coached his final home game. He announced in September that he will be stepping down following his 21st season at Shippensburg.

“Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, Rocky,” his players shouted in unison as they stood watching the ceremony honoring Rees after the game.

In the interview room, Rees acknowledged that he was very emotional before the game during pregame warmups. He also added a comment about his early shower.

“Those guys almost gave me a heart attack,” he said, grinning. “I’m more happy for our kids because they came back and got another win. They were resilient and showed good character.”

Senior tailback Kevin Marshall scored on a 5-yard run with 1:29 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Red Raiders (3-6, 2-4). Defensive back Jamahn McCollough then intercepted Millersville quarterback Bill Shirk in the final seconds in the end zone.

Marshall paced the Shippensburg offense with 74 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. The former Scotland School standout also added 112 all-purpose yards.

“I learned to be a better person since I’ve been here at Shippensburg,” Marshall said. “Coach Rees believed in me ... and I’ve changed as a better person and player.”

Sophomore running back Mike Frenette, a Cumberland Valley graduate, also felt blessed for being coached by Rees.

“Coach showed me the importance of giving back to the community,” he said. “He taught me about being a better person on and off the field.”

Shippensburg held a 13-0 lead in the fourth quarter before the Marauders (2-7, 0-6), thanks to some former Mid-Penn Conference talent, erupted for 14 unanswered points for a one-point lead with 11:38 remaining. Millersville bounced back to take the lead after letting a golden opportunity slip away in the third quarter when it failed to score on four attempts from the Shippensburg 1.

First, Syracuse transfer Mike Jones, a former Bishop McDevitt standout, turned right end and outsprinted the Shippensburg defense 74 yards for a touchdown. Then Jamal Smith hauled in a 25-yard scoring pass from Shirk.

Smith, the 6-3, 215-pound man-child receiver, became the first Marauder to snare 10 touchdown passes in two seasons in school history. The former Trinity star, who caught seven passes for 164 yards in the contest, became the third player in school history to amass 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

“I’m not one to talk a lot, I just let my play speak for me,” said Smith, who had a 75-yard catch-and-run (caught at the 1) and a brilliant one-handed grab in the fourth quarter.

“The accolades are great, but my goal is to leave here [Millersville] with a winning record.”

DIVISION III Lebanon Valley College 42, Widener 38: The Dutchmen (4-4, 3-2) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the go-ahead scramble by quarterback Caleb Fick, to register the MAC victory. Fick threw for 193 yards and a career-high four touchdowns along with his rushing score. The LVC defense was led by Jason Gigous with 20 tackles

Gettysburg 61, Susquehanna 50: In its first meeting in 88 years, Gettysburg and Susquehanna certainly didn’t hold anything back as the schools combined for 1,162 yards of total offense in this Centennial Conference clash. Kyle Whitmoyer passed for 374 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Bullets (5-3, 4-3), winners of four straight. Rich Palazzi passed for 286 yards and four scores for the Crusaders (1-8, 1-8).

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